Luis Suarez: I know Neymar and he would never sign for Real Madrid

Helping out at the opening of Adidas' newest 'Stadium' store in Barcelona, Luis Suarez is unafraid to tackle the big topics regarding the city's world famous football team.

With Neymar no longer joining the striker at the Camp Nou, he is open in discussing why the Brazilian decided to leave as well as other hot topics including his own form, transfer rumours, and the World Cup with MARCA just a stone's throw away from the city's famous Placa de Catalunya square.

You're a quiet, smiling person. Do you associate yourself with the Suarez that everyone sees out on the pitch, fighting and arguing?

"Not at all, although I do recognise [that Suarez]. It's my way of playing. Fighting for every moment has led me to where I am today. In some games I think about it and I try to be calmer, but there's no way it can happen."

"The quieter I am, the more uncomfortable I feel. So I have to be constantly fighting and arguing, but these things only happen out there on the pitch. Then, away from the pitch, I'm quieter and more good natured."

Is it true that you've been playing through the pain barrier during this season?

"Yes, but now I feel better. It required some complicated treatment and now I'm improving. I don't want to continue feeling that pain, I must prevent it from coming back again."

Do you think Neymar was right to leave Barcelona?

"Neymar is a mature person who was fully aware of the decision he made. Surely he made it with a lot of pain because he was happy here. But, we all have to accept that he was thinking of other challenges and that he wanted to take them on."

"It was an understandable decision that he took with his family. There is no reproach, but admiration and love for everything that he gave the club and the relationship we had throughout those years."

There was speculation that he may one day sign for Real Madrid.

"Not at all. Honestly, I don't see it. I know what Neymar is like and the admiration he had for Barcelona and his teammates. I don't see him now going to play for Real Madrid."

After all that they've won under Zidane, how do you explain Real's poor form of late?

"Every team goes through dips in which they don't play well or don't get results. They shoot very often but cannot find a way to score a goal. In football that's normal, we also have to go through those spells. And what we're clear about is that we cannot give them any advantage in LaLiga."

What has changed with Valverde's arrival?

"He's a coach who has a lot of confidence in each of his players. It's not that it's changed a lot since Luis Enrique but there are different ways of training and facing games. And we, as a team, always have to be ready to do it in the best possible way."

There was a lot of talk about Barcelona not getting their targets in the summer. Was the team sufficiently reinforced after Neymar left?

"Neymar is a different and special player who expected many things. Different players who also contribute a lot have arrived, such as Gerard Deulofeu, who had already been at the club. Also Paulinho, who has quietened many critics and is performing at a very high level since he arrived. He's one of Brazil's captains."

"Ousmane Dembele had the bad luck of injuring himself early on, but when he's fit you will see how he can surprise many people. There is a lot of speculation at the moment about players who can come and others who can leave, but we remain unaware of this."

Is it true you facilitated Neymar's linking up with Edinson Cavani in some way?

"Not at all, I was totally away from it all. That's not something I would do."

Who taught you to turn your backside to defenders and protect yourself?

"This is something I have always done. Nowadays, defenders already know me and they don't let me use my body so much. So I must take advantage of my other virtues. I learned that move from a young age and I perfected it. My friends joke a lot about it."

What's your biggest challenge right now?

"The first challenge is as 2017 ends and then for 2018 to win everything with Barcelona. And to finish, compete in a good World Cup for Uruguay."

What do you feel when you're on a bad streak like the one experienced this season?

"These streaks, situations, symptoms, they are times when you aren't in good form and you yourself are aware that no matter what you do, the ball won't ever go in. That's why I laughed the other day when I missed. In another situation I would have taken it differently. If I had been missing many clear chances for a long time, I would worry, but that wasn't the case. I knew exactly how it was going to happen."

What a streak you've been on, by the way.

"I am very self-critical and I feel bad for not scoring. But the important thing is to help the team and if I am physically well or have played a good game, I am satisfied. I end up angry when I cannot help the team."

Who will be the hero of the World Cup? Messi, Neymar... Suarez?

"There are many national teams that are playing at a high level and can win it. There are sides that have mixed youth and experience in their teams. It will be a great World Cup that will be remembered."